[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoctoral opportunity in climate science at PCMDI/ Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

[Celine Bonfils]

Hi,

The Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI)  at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has
a postdoctoral opportunity in climate science.

Applications must be entered through the careers at llnl web site.
https://careers.llnl.gov/
key word: 11900
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Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Staff Member
Post-Dr Research Staff  1 (PDS.1)
Job ID: 11900
Location: Livermore, CA
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

NOTE:  This is a two-year Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility
of extension to a maximum of three years. For important information
about LLNL appointments refer to the FAQs above. Eligible candidates are
  recent PhDs within five years of the month of the degree award at time
of employment offer.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF JOB
The Atmospheric, Earth and Energy Division, Climate and Modeling Analysis Group, within the
Physical and Life Sciences Directorate has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher at the intersection of
detection and attribution (D&A) of regional climate change and uncertainty quantification (UQ) research.
The selected applicant will be part of a five-year project that aims at improving the scientific understanding
of the underlying causes of past changes in droughts. The primary responsibilities will include 1) an analysis of
drought behavior in various climate simulations and observations, and 2) an estimation of the range of simulated
droughts (and their credibility) by simultaneously perturbing a number of poorly constrained input parameters
in the atmospheric component of the climate models. The successful candidate will utilize atmospheric
perturbed-physics ensemble simulations produced with the Community Atmospheric Model (CAM4) to conduct an
UQ analysis based on a recent case of North American drought. Where possible, the results will be placed in the
broader context of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The selected applicant will interact with
PCMDI experts in D&A, UQ and model validation metrics, and with peers outside of the work unit. The selected
candidate will report to the Climate Modeling and Analysis Group Leader.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Apply in-house statistical UQ diagnostics and design new diagnostics to constrain values for input parameters to best match observed droughts.
- Examine different sources of uncertainties in components critical to drought mechanisms (e.g., structural uncertainties in models and observations, uncertainties in the external forcings, and various model input parameters).
- Develop new climate model diagnostics and apply metrics for the analysis of drought behavior in various climate simulations and observations.
- Evaluate climate model results to identify model strengths, weaknesses and differences among models, with particular emphasis on precipitation variability, change in the mean state, and drought mechanisms.
- Utilize the latest satellite and reanalysis data for model evaluation.
- Communicate research results through peer-reviewed publications, scientific meetings/ presentations and technical reports.
- Collaborate with other climate and UQ researchers nationally and internationally.
- Perform all assignments in accordance with ESH&Q, security, and business practice requirements and policies.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES
- Recent PhD in atmospheric science, large-scale hydrology or related field.
- Solid statistical background, including regression analyses, EOF analyses, and time-series diagnostics.
- Experience with large observational and climate model output datasets.
- Experience with scripting and visualization techniques.
- Programming experience in Python and Fortran in a UNIX/LINUX workstation operating environment.
- Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and work independently as well as to collaborate effectively with a team of scientists of diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated fundamental verbal and written communication skills as evidenced by published results and presentations.
  
DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES
- Experience with one or more of the following areas: UQ diagnosis, climate model diagnosis, analysis of climate extremes, numerical modeling of climate.
- Familiarity with modes of variability, teleconnections, regional climate variations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Pre-Placement Medical Exam:  None required.
Pre-Employment Drug Test:  External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test.
Anticipated Clearance Level:  None.
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